Tartan Army Soldierhttps://tartanarmysoldier.com
Supporting Scotland on the road to victoryMon, 18 Dec 2017 03:29:20 +0000enhourly1http://wordpress.com/https://s2.wp.com/i/buttonw-com.pngTartan Army Soldierhttps://tartanarmysoldier.com
Agony as Scotland draw 2 – 2 in Sloveniahttps://tartanarmysoldier.com/2017/10/10/agony-as-scotland-draw-2-2-in-slovenia/
https://tartanarmysoldier.com/2017/10/10/agony-as-scotland-draw-2-2-in-slovenia/#respondTue, 10 Oct 2017 16:24:01 +0000http://tartanarmysoldier.com/?p=1350]]>Scotland came so close to going the World Cup finals. But, holding hosts Slovenia to a 2 – 2 draw when they needed a win, it wasn’t to be.

As with the previous match, against Slovakia, this was a nail-biter all the way to the end. Griffiths opened the scoring, receive deserved rapturous applause from fans. As well as a superb strike, this was the first goal Slovenia had conceded at home during the competition. Spirits were up! And Scotland ended the first half 1 – 0 ahead.

Unsurprisingly the Slovenians had plans to scupper Scotland’s plans. And Roman Bezjak was the fly in Scotland’s ointment. Equalising after 52 minutes, he then went on to score a second 20 minutes later. Disaster! Scotland had less than 20 minutes to save their place in Russia.

Scotland pulled the score back to 2 – 2 in the 88th minute. But it wasn’t enough. Scotland managed two more shots at goal, from Snodgrass and Phillips, but neither was successful. And that, unfortunately, was that…. A worthy effort, but Scotland fail to qualify.

]]>https://tartanarmysoldier.com/2017/10/10/agony-as-scotland-draw-2-2-in-slovenia/feed/0Tartan Army SoldierScotland defeat Slovakia to keep World Cup hopes alivehttps://tartanarmysoldier.com/2017/10/07/scotland-defeat-slovakia-to-keep-world-cup-hopes-alive/
https://tartanarmysoldier.com/2017/10/07/scotland-defeat-slovakia-to-keep-world-cup-hopes-alive/#respondSat, 07 Oct 2017 23:20:24 +0000http://tartanarmysoldier.com/?p=1338]]>Thursday was great night for Scottish football. Facing the none-too-shabby Slovakia, the Scotland squad knew they had to win to keep World Cup qualification hopes alive. And they managed it. Thanks to an 89th minute own goal by Slovakia’s Skrtel, the Tartan Army are one step closer to marching into Russia.

It was arguably what is becoming a typical Scotland match. The team deserved to be victorious. However, despite being the better team for the majority of the match, they found it difficult to put the ball in the opposition’s net.

Scotland didn’t let up. All through the match they pursued the goal they needed. Although frustrated by bad luck, they continued on. Efforts by Fletcher, Robertson, Forrest and the rest simply refused to find the net. Then, in the dying minutes, they scored! Scotland go ahead 1 – 0.

The deadlock was broken by….Slovakia. Skrtel moved to block a pass from Anya, meant for Martin. Sadly, for the Slovak, he deflected the ball past his own keeper. It wasn’t how we expected to win, but it was a scoreline well deserved. And, more importantly, it provides a lifeline, giving Scotland a chance to qualify for the World Cup.

]]>https://tartanarmysoldier.com/2017/10/07/scotland-defeat-slovakia-to-keep-world-cup-hopes-alive/feed/0Tartan Army SoldierScotland defeat Malta, and close gap on Slovakiahttps://tartanarmysoldier.com/2017/09/05/scotland-defeat-malta-and-close-gap/
https://tartanarmysoldier.com/2017/09/05/scotland-defeat-malta-and-close-gap/#respondTue, 05 Sep 2017 22:42:01 +0000http://tartanarmysoldier.com/?p=1312]]>Another positive result by the Scotland squad. This time it was against Malta, at Hampden, and the result was 2 – 0.

A first half header by Christophe Berra put Scotland ahead. Then, in the second half, Leigh Griffiths scored a second for Scotland. And that was how it remained to the end. Some of us would have hoped for a few more goals, but another victory after Friday’s win was most welcome.

Scotland are now within one point off second place. Thanks to Slovakia dropping points to England, the gap between the Slovaks and both Scotland and Slovenia is a single point. So, with Scotland, lined up to face both Slovakia and Slovenia in their last two matches, it seems Scotland’s fate is firmly back in it’s own hands.

]]>https://tartanarmysoldier.com/2017/09/05/scotland-defeat-malta-and-close-gap/feed/0Tartan Army SoldierScotland impress with 3 – 0 victory in Lithuaniahttps://tartanarmysoldier.com/2017/09/04/scotland-impress-with-3-0-victory-in-lithuania/
https://tartanarmysoldier.com/2017/09/04/scotland-impress-with-3-0-victory-in-lithuania/#respondMon, 04 Sep 2017 22:27:04 +0000http://tartanarmysoldier.com/?p=1295]]>Scotland produced an impressive 3 – 0 victory on Friday evening. The result was enough to lift them up to third place in World Cup qualifying Group F.

An energetic approach helped provide the goals. Scotland were by far the better team, claiming most of the possession and making more chances than the hosts. It was therefore no surprise when Armstrong put Scotland ahead in the 25th minute. Full-back Andy Robertson followed up soon after with an amazing curled into the net. Then, James McArthur provided the third goal in the second half.

Scotland’s situation is now more promising. Rising to third position, they are now 4 points behind Slovakia. It won’t be easy to take second position, but it now seems a lot more possible.

]]>https://tartanarmysoldier.com/2017/09/04/scotland-impress-with-3-0-victory-in-lithuania/feed/0Tartan Army SoldierScotland squad announced for Lithuania and Maltahttps://tartanarmysoldier.com/2017/08/22/scotland-squad-announced-for-lithuania-and-malta/
https://tartanarmysoldier.com/2017/08/22/scotland-squad-announced-for-lithuania-and-malta/#respondTue, 22 Aug 2017 14:43:59 +0000http://tartanarmysoldier.com/?p=1291]]>The Scotland squad has been announced for the upcoming matches against Lithuania and Malta. As well as many familiar names, Gordon Strachan has chosen to recall Newcastle duo Matt Ritchie and Grant Hanley ahead of these vital World Cup qualifiers.

]]>https://tartanarmysoldier.com/2017/08/22/scotland-squad-announced-for-lithuania-and-malta/feed/0Tartan Army SoldierScotland SquadScotland draw 2 – 2 with Englandhttps://tartanarmysoldier.com/2017/06/20/scotland-draw-2-2-with-england/
https://tartanarmysoldier.com/2017/06/20/scotland-draw-2-2-with-england/#respondTue, 20 Jun 2017 09:22:48 +0000http://tartanarmysoldier.com/?p=1287]]>Harry Kane was the toast of England, as he crushed Scotland’s World Cup hopes with an injury time equaliser.

An entertaining match seemed to be ending well for Scotland. England had opened the scoring with a strike from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the 70th minute. However, Scotland sucessfully converted two free kicks in the 87th and 90th minutes. Leigh Griffiths scored first. Then, three minutes later, Griffiths repeated his efforts with what most of us expected was the match-wining goal. Sadly it wasn’t.

Three minutes of overtime were to be pivotal. An England free kick was deflected by Scotland keeper, Gordon. However the ball ended up in English possession, was crossed to Kane, who volleyed it from the six yard box into the Scottish goal. We all watched, crushed. Nobody Scottish will be running out to book a holiday to Russia next year, short of a miracle.

]]>https://tartanarmysoldier.com/2017/06/20/scotland-draw-2-2-with-england/feed/0Tartan Army SoldierScotland v England tickets go on sale to publichttps://tartanarmysoldier.com/2017/05/09/scotland-v-england-tickets-go-on-sale-to-public/
https://tartanarmysoldier.com/2017/05/09/scotland-v-england-tickets-go-on-sale-to-public/#respondTue, 09 May 2017 06:41:40 +0000http://tartanarmysoldier.com/?p=1272]]>Tickets for the Scotland v England World Cup qualifier got on sale to the public today.

The SFA have revealed that a limited number of tickets will be made available to the public for Saturday’s clash with the Auld Enemy. A statement by the SFA said ” “A limited number of tickets will go on sale tomorrow at noon to the general public for the Scotland v England match on Saturday 10 June, kick-off 5pm”. After sales tot the Scotland Supporters Club, the North and West stands have sold-out, leaving seats available in the William Hill and East stands. Prices are £45 and £60 respectively.

]]>https://tartanarmysoldier.com/2017/05/09/scotland-v-england-tickets-go-on-sale-to-public/feed/0Tartan Army SoldierScotland keep World Cup 2018 hopes alive against Sloveniahttps://tartanarmysoldier.com/2017/03/27/scotland-keep-world-cup-2018-hopes-alive-against-slovenia/
https://tartanarmysoldier.com/2017/03/27/scotland-keep-world-cup-2018-hopes-alive-against-slovenia/#respondMon, 27 Mar 2017 22:50:40 +0000http://tartanarmysoldier.com/?p=1265]]>Scotland are still in with a chance of qualifying for World Cup 2018. An impressive effort, rewarded with a deserved goal by Chris Martin, was good enough to give the team a 1 – 0 victory over Slovenia.

From the start Scotland impressed. After only one minute, a Russell Martin volley from a Robert Snodgrass corner sent Slovenian keeper Jan Oblak diving. Seemingly inspired, Scotland continued the pressure. Martin, Snodgrass, Griffiths, Armstrong and Morrison all sent the ball in the direction of the visitors’ net. Unfortunately the ball refused to cross the line.

And the frustration didn’t stop. Fans’ roared when Andy Robertson sent the ball to Snodgrass, near the left side of the penalty box. The West Ham midfielder expertly passed it towards the back post to an awaiting Griffiths. The Celtic forward looked certain to score. Instead he crashed the ball off the crossbar.

The second half was almost as frustrating. The shots at goal continued, but the ball refused to find the net. In an attempt to break the deadlock, Strachan sent on Chris Martin. Booed by some of the fans, this seemed a risky move. However, the coach’s decision was shown to be the right one. With the help of Armstrong, Martin shot the ball past Oblak, at last giving Scotland the lead they deserved.

And that was how it stayed. The 1 – 0 victory puts Scotland in fourth position in Group, moving one place in the right direction, and keeping them in sight of a qualifying position. Hope for Scotland’s World Cup chances are kept alive.

]]>https://tartanarmysoldier.com/2017/03/27/scotland-keep-world-cup-2018-hopes-alive-against-slovenia/feed/0Tartan Army SoldierScotland held to 1 – 1 draw by Canadahttps://tartanarmysoldier.com/2017/03/23/scotland-held-to-1-1-draw-by-canada/
https://tartanarmysoldier.com/2017/03/23/scotland-held-to-1-1-draw-by-canada/#commentsThu, 23 Mar 2017 20:38:58 +0000http://tartanarmysoldier.com/?p=1261]]>It should have been an easy game. Ranked 117 in the world, Canada were not expected to put up too much of a fight. Scotland, although not having had the best of results recently, were expected to win. Or at least put on a better performance. It wasn’t to be.

Scotland, ideally, were looking for an impressive result. With the World Cup qualifier against Slovenia coming up on Sunday, it was everyone’s hope that the Strachan’s squad would win in outstanding fashion against the Canadians. However, after only 11 minutes Falkirk’s Fraser Aird put the visitors ahead. The Easter Road crowd were stunned into silence. And it didn’t improve much from there.

The rest of the match was a scrappy affair. Scotland equalised before the end of the first half, Steven Naismith scoring in the 35th minute. And that was it. The rest of the game provided the fans with little cheer. With a few near misses and better possession, it could be argued that Scotland were the better side. But with no more goals, many fans will have been disappointed, and few will be hopeful of a good performance against Slovenia.

Seriously Scotland! You’re better than this! We need a good result on Sunday. None of us want yet another World Cup finals as a spectator country.

]]>https://tartanarmysoldier.com/2017/03/23/scotland-held-to-1-1-draw-by-canada/feed/1Tartan Army SoldierScotland disappoint with 1 point from 6https://tartanarmysoldier.com/2016/10/12/scotland-disappoint-with-1-point-from-6/
https://tartanarmysoldier.com/2016/10/12/scotland-disappoint-with-1-point-from-6/#respondWed, 12 Oct 2016 15:24:45 +0000http://tartanarmysoldier.com/?p=1257]]>This is what it’s like to be a Scotland fan. In the space of four days we’ve seen our national team drop from top of Group F to a much less impressive fourth position.

Often it seems that East European countries cost us points. This held true against Lithuania and Slovakia. My hope, and expectation, was a Scotland victory at Hampden followed by at least a point brought back from Slovakia. Lithuania didn’t have a great history at Hampden, so a victory was expected. And with England having won in Slovakia it felt important that we do well there. No such luck. If not for James McArthur, it could have been the worst of all possible outcomes. I’m just glad I watched the games in the pub, with alcohol to console me.

Next up is England. Can we win at Wembley, or at least take a point from the match? Of course we can!! It’s been done before, an number of time. And if ever we need to pull an unexpected victory out of the bag, this it. Just do it Scotland!! We know we’re good enough!

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